More Articles

When the noise from braking truck engines strafes a neighborhood during sleep hours, it can mean
war.

Engine braking, also known as jake braking, deploys special engine devices to safely, quickly
stop a 20-ton rig — sort of like reverse thrusters on an airplane. But many communities, especially
those where the speed limit drops quickly, outlaw the practice.

“Engine braking prohibited” signs in Delaware outlaw “excessive, unreasonable or unusual”
braking, according to city code, but officials aren’t sure if that is enforced.

“I’m not aware of any engine-braking citations that we’ve written in a while,” said Delaware
Police Capt. Adam Moore. “I don’t know that we actively go out looking for engine-braking issues.
It’s more complaint-driven.”

Many smaller communities are more sensitive to noise. Midway in Madison County outlaws engine
braking,

“I think there’s just a higher expectation of privacy and quiet,” said Madison County Sheriff
James P. Sabin. “Obviously at 3 in the morning, you could certainly get awoken.”

Sunbury has had its engine-braking laws since 1999, said village Administrator Dave Martin, who
thinks the signs alone might silence the problem.

“I think when (truckers) see that sign, they know they are to abide by the law,” Martin
said.

At the same time, he said, “they shouldn’t be driving so fast that they need to use engine
brakes anyway.”

Robert Chanaud has studied noise for 60 years. The retired Purdue University professor and
acoustics engineer said the braking method is like an engine in reverse and can produce jet-engine
noise levels.

“Every time the valve opens up, it’s compressed air coming out of the (exhaust) pipe instead of
gas vapor,” he said.